MTC Device Grouping for Network Access Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for managing network access by massive Machine-Type Communication (MTC) devices lead to network burdens due to concurrent access, particularly in scenarios like smart metering, where devices frequently upload small data at fixed intervals, causing unbalanced loading across cells.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves grouping MTC devices based on their access time, where devices accessing the network at the same time are grouped differently and those accessing at different times are grouped together, using a modulo operation on identifiers to determine access times based on data transmission periods and durations, thereby scattering access moments and reducing network collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If massive MTC devices access the network simultaneously to upload data frequently, then the data transmission efficiency is improved, but the network burden increases seriously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments MTC devices into different groups based on their access time patterns. Devices that would otherwise access simultaneously are divided into multiple groups, each accessing at different time intervals. This segmentation prevents network overload while maintaining data transmission efficiency, as devices upload data frequently but in a distributed manner rather than concentrated simultaneously.
2Quantity of substance
If application layer grouping is used to control concurrent access, then the network burden is reduced, but the balance of users across different cells cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the network side (base station) as an intermediary that performs grouping based on cell information. The network side has access to cell-level data that the application layer lacks, enabling it to distribute users across different cells balance. This intermediary grouping mechanism reduces network burden while simultaneously ensuring balanced user distribution across cells, resolving the limitation of application-layer grouping.
3Stability of the object's composition
If MTC devices access the network at fixed intervals to upload small data, then the data transmission periodicity is maintained, but network collisions occur frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by assigning different time windows or access periods to different device groups. While devices maintain their periodic data transmission requirements, the network side coordinates these periods across groups to stagger access times. This ensures that data transmission periodicity is preserved for each device while preventing simultaneous access collisions between different devices.
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication method of MTC devices in the field of communication technologies, including: grouping, by a network side, first MTC devices according to time when the first MTC devices access a network, where the grouping is so performed that MTC devices accessing the network at same time are grouped into different groups, and MTC devices accessing the network at different time are grouped into a same group; and sending, after the first MTC devices access the network, group information to the first MTC devices, so that the first MTC devices receive and/or send data according to the group information. Embodiments of the present invention further provide a related communication apparatus of MTC devices. Embodiments of the present invention, by grouping MTC devices accessing at same time into different groups and MTC devices accessing at different time into a same group, realize scattering time for MTC devices to access a network for sending data, thereby avoiding collisions and effectively easing the burden resulted from MTC devices accessing the network concurrently.